CA1293404C - Printing plate processor having recirculating water wash reclamation - Google Patents
Printing plate processor having recirculating water wash reclamationInfo
- Publication number
- CA1293404C CA1293404C CA000560379A CA560379A CA1293404C CA 1293404 C CA1293404 C CA 1293404C CA 000560379 A CA000560379 A CA 000560379A CA 560379 A CA560379 A CA 560379A CA 1293404 C CA1293404 C CA 1293404C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wash water
- conductivity
- reservoir
- plate
- processor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/66—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by neutralisation; pH adjustment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/26—Processing photosensitive materials; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/30—Imagewise removal using liquid means
- G03F7/3092—Recovery of material; Waste processing
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A wash water reclamation system for a printing plate processor having a external reservoir, wash water pumping and collecting means and means for continuously measuring wash water pH and conductivity. Conductivity and pH are automatically adjusted at pre-determined levels.
A wash water reclamation system for a printing plate processor having a external reservoir, wash water pumping and collecting means and means for continuously measuring wash water pH and conductivity. Conductivity and pH are automatically adjusted at pre-determined levels.
Description
~3~
The present invention relates an improved apparatus in the art of machine spray-developing of lithographic printing plates or cleaning, etching and chemical processing flat sheets.
In the ield of preparing lithograph:ic printing plates f light sensitive coatings are placed upon a support, usually a flexible, thin metal sheet, thus creating a presensitized printing plate. The plate is subjected to imagewise exposure through a mask which renders the photosensitive substance insoluble in a suitably chosen developer, if it is negative working; and soluble in the developer, if the plake is pos-itive working. The action oE the developer, in the case o lithographic plate, is to remove the non-image portions of the plate coating completely so that no trace of it remains on the metal support. The metal support, so revealed, is now free of coating and will no longer accept ink. This sharp discrimination between i~age and non-image areas on the plate is vital to success in the preparation of the lithographic plate.
Exposed lithographic plates may be developed by hand or by machine. If developed by hand, developer is poured both ; upon the plate and upon a soft sponge or pad and rubbed there-with upon the surace of the plate until, by inspection, the non-image areas are completely removed. Care must be taken to avoid any damage to the image by excessive rubbing, or by the use of an overly~active chemical developer. The disad-vantages of hand development of offset prin-ting plates are numerous. The process is slow and expensive. Uniformity of pressure in applying the developing solution to remove the 3~ undesired coating is almost impossible to attain and expo-sure to the developing solution is uneven. Thus, defective printing often results from an inadequate development or ~3~ ~3~ 20731-985 underdevelopment of an area of from applying varying pressure by hand, which may adversely affect the desired printing image. Drying of the developer on certain portions of the plate before it can be rubbed in to remove the undesired coating also may leave a residue on the plate. A further difficulty with the hand method is in the application of the developing solution. It is presently the practice of the craftman to pour a quantity of developer onto a developing sponge or pad and onto the center of the plate, which ~uantity is supposedly sufficient to process the plate, and the craft-man then works his sponge from the "reservoir". This pro-cedure may lead to a high degree of contamination of the processing fluids by the removed photosensitive coating as well as a change in the chemistry of the fluid because of evaporation, which will in turn, either reduce the efficiency of the chemistry resulting in incomplete removal of the un-desired coating in highly critical areas of halftones, or increase its potency resulting in image attack.
Further, the development of a two-sided plate by devel-oping one side at a time in a sink and turning the plate over can result in damage to the first developed side by pieces of contaminated material in the sink being forced back into the image or non-image areas of the first developed side when the second side is developed.
These defects may not become apparent lmtil the plate is clamped into a printing press and the expense of developing the plate has been incurred. All of these problems become more critical with increasing plate sizes.
When many plates are to be developed, machinery is used which will develop the plate by applying developer mechanical-ly .
Automatic processors are available which overcome the 3~
In the ield of preparing lithograph:ic printing plates f light sensitive coatings are placed upon a support, usually a flexible, thin metal sheet, thus creating a presensitized printing plate. The plate is subjected to imagewise exposure through a mask which renders the photosensitive substance insoluble in a suitably chosen developer, if it is negative working; and soluble in the developer, if the plake is pos-itive working. The action oE the developer, in the case o lithographic plate, is to remove the non-image portions of the plate coating completely so that no trace of it remains on the metal support. The metal support, so revealed, is now free of coating and will no longer accept ink. This sharp discrimination between i~age and non-image areas on the plate is vital to success in the preparation of the lithographic plate.
Exposed lithographic plates may be developed by hand or by machine. If developed by hand, developer is poured both ; upon the plate and upon a soft sponge or pad and rubbed there-with upon the surace of the plate until, by inspection, the non-image areas are completely removed. Care must be taken to avoid any damage to the image by excessive rubbing, or by the use of an overly~active chemical developer. The disad-vantages of hand development of offset prin-ting plates are numerous. The process is slow and expensive. Uniformity of pressure in applying the developing solution to remove the 3~ undesired coating is almost impossible to attain and expo-sure to the developing solution is uneven. Thus, defective printing often results from an inadequate development or ~3~ ~3~ 20731-985 underdevelopment of an area of from applying varying pressure by hand, which may adversely affect the desired printing image. Drying of the developer on certain portions of the plate before it can be rubbed in to remove the undesired coating also may leave a residue on the plate. A further difficulty with the hand method is in the application of the developing solution. It is presently the practice of the craftman to pour a quantity of developer onto a developing sponge or pad and onto the center of the plate, which ~uantity is supposedly sufficient to process the plate, and the craft-man then works his sponge from the "reservoir". This pro-cedure may lead to a high degree of contamination of the processing fluids by the removed photosensitive coating as well as a change in the chemistry of the fluid because of evaporation, which will in turn, either reduce the efficiency of the chemistry resulting in incomplete removal of the un-desired coating in highly critical areas of halftones, or increase its potency resulting in image attack.
Further, the development of a two-sided plate by devel-oping one side at a time in a sink and turning the plate over can result in damage to the first developed side by pieces of contaminated material in the sink being forced back into the image or non-image areas of the first developed side when the second side is developed.
These defects may not become apparent lmtil the plate is clamped into a printing press and the expense of developing the plate has been incurred. All of these problems become more critical with increasing plate sizes.
When many plates are to be developed, machinery is used which will develop the plate by applying developer mechanical-ly .
Automatic processors are available which overcome the 3~
-4- 20731-g85 difficulties associated with -the conventional hand develop-ment of such plates by providing an enclosed developer appar-atus which includes a receiving station for receiving a printing plate, a continuous transport system, a developing station in which the developer is applied to both sides of the plate simultaneously and evenly over the complete surface of both sides, including a pre-soak section to soften khe coat-ing, a rubbing or scrubbing section consisting of a free-floating assembly of a set of cleaning brushes and a set of velour type cloth coated scrubber pads mounted one above and one below the plate in such a manner as to facilitate easy entrance of the plate between the cleaning brushes and scrub-ber pads. The entire cleaning and scrubbing assembly is fur-ther capable of a reciprocating movement traversely across the surface of the plate, each half in a direction opposite to the other. When no plate is in the developing system, the top and bottom cleaning and scrubbing devices rub against each other. Attached to the end of the assembly are further-more squeegee means which contact the ollowing transport squeegee rollers for reasons described below.
Prior to entering the cleaning and scrubbing section as just described, the developer is applied onto both sides of the plate in a unique pre-soak chamber. ~hile the plate is being moved forward through the pre-soak chamber, the coat-ing on the non-image areas is softened, enabling the follow-ing cleaning and scrubbing assembly to effectively clean or remove all unwanted coating even in the smallest areas. This assures a highest quality image. Developer is further applied to the plate continuously in the cleaning and scrubbing sec-tion, both through the actual cleaning brushes and between the scrubber pads. The plates then enter a wash water stage for the removal of excess developer and removed excess non-_5_ ~293~ 20731-985 image plate materials. In some existing machines, developer is metered to the plate through tubes and spread about by sponges or brushes which also serve to separate loosened non-image particles from the plate support. In the next stage, within the machine, the spent developer and separated non-image coating are rinsed from the plate, usually with water, supplied through tubes. In a final stage, the rinsed, moist surface is covered with a gum solution and any excess thereof is removed, thereby delivering a plate ready for the press or for storage. The gum solution is also metered to the plate through tubes.
In some cases, these processing solutions are pumped through spray nozzles which are directed upon the plate sur-face. In further refinements, the deueloper and gum solution overflows are returned to reservoirs from which they are again pumped through the spray nozzles.
In the case of developers for certain positive working plates, recirculation is not feasible due to the aeration of the developer. In this case, to avoid aeration, only fresh developer may be applied to the plate.
With regard to developing machinery utilized in the graphic arts, other objects are:
to reduce the needed quantities of valuable developers and finishing agents;
to increase the speed of operation;
to increase the completeness of development;
to increase the discrimination between image and non-image areas; and to permit the use of less aggressive developer, and thus decrease damage to the image.
In machinery for the processing of exposed lithographic printing plates, the plate is usually transported under spray -6- ~2~34~ 20731-985 heads through which developing solutions, rinses and finishing solutions, as determined by the needs of the individual plate, are sequentially dispensed. Appropriate time intervals are provided for the action of each solution, optionally assisted by soft non-scratching brushes, scrubbing pads, squeegees and the like.
Plate processors are per se well known in the art as exem-plified by U.S. Patents 4,239,368; 3,995,343; 3,937,175;
3,738,249; 3,809,105; 3,771,428; 4,081,577; and 4,091,404.
A problem with the hereto~ore known processors is their excessive use of wa~h water. Indeed, it is the experience of large press shops that the annual cost of the wash water alone which is pumped through the processor, vastly exceeds the cost of the processor equipment itself. If a wash water is used on a "one shot" basis it is discarded after the singl~ use al-though it still has substantial residual washing ability. As a result of this capacity, printers desire to use wash water in processing machines again and again to gain greater econo-mics. However, as the non-image areas of the photographic surface of the plate are removed, they are carried away and contaminate the water. Processors fre~uently have filters which remove flaked off coating particles to prevent a rede-posit of these coating flakes onto the plate. Such a processor is shown in U.S. Pat~nt 4,239,368. However, over time, the non-filterable portion of the liquid wash water is itself con-; taminated with unfiltered components. These are typically alkaline coating components which unacceptably raise the pH of the solution. In such an event, the solution is either dis-carded, or upon periodic monitoring of pH by the printer, an amount of fresh water is added. These, however, are short-term fixes to the problem because the solution is not contin-uously monitored and because the addition of such neutralizing -7- ~934~ 20731-985 acids may restore the pH to neutral but the conductivity of the solution increases to such an extent that the wash water quickly becoms unworkable. The present invention provides an improved processor for lithographic printing plates wherein pH
and conductivity are continuously monitorecl and pH adjusting solution is automatically added as needed while maintaining wash water conductivity within an acceptable working range.
-8- ~z~3~ 20731-9~5 Summary of the Inve tion The invention provides a printing plate processor recir-culating wash water reclamation system which comprises:
a. a plate processor having an enclosed housing capable of containing wash water therein, sai~ processor having a plate inlet and a plate outlet and means fGr applying wash water to a plate between said inlet and said out-let; and b. a wash water reservoir external to said housing; and c. means for pumping wash water from the reservoir to the wash water applying means oE the processor; and d. means for aollec-ting wash water Erom the wash water ap-plying means oE the processor and returing it to the reservoir; and e. means for continuously and automatically measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and f. injection means responsive to said pH measuring means capable of automatically adding a pH adjusting composition to the wash water in the reservoir at a predetermined pH.
The invention further provides a method of extending the useful lifetime of wash water used in a printing plate pro-cessing apparatus which method comprises:
a. providing a wash water reservoir external to said pro-cessor and pumping wash water from the reservoir to the processor, and collecting used wash water from the pro-cessor and returning it to said reservoir; and b. automatically and continuously measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and c. automatically injecting a pH adjusting composition into the wash water in the reservoir and maintaining the pH
of the wash water in a predetermined range.
Figure ] shows by way of example only a schematic view of a prefered embodiment of a recirculating wash water reclamation system according to the invention.
As shown in Figure 1, a typical plate processor 10 has its wash water input hose 12 connected to an external reservoir 14 instead of a fresh water tap. In the preferred embodiment re-servoir 14 is a 40- to 55-gallon tank. Hose 12 is connected to sump pump 16. In operation sump pump 16 pumps water from re-servoir 14 to the wash water stage of the plate processor 10.
Used wash water is returned to the reservoir from the processor via drain 18. A pH meter 20 continuously monitors the pH of the reservoir water via probe 22 which is located within the wash water reservoir 1~. The p~I meter provides a continuous mon-itoring of the water pH and when the p~I reaches a certain pre-determined value, the pH meter signals injector system 24 to supply a pH adjusting composition, such as an acid, from tank 26. In the preferred embodiment, when the pH becomes too high as the result of plate wash residue, a small amount of citric acid neutralizes the reservoir water. A preferred pH range is from about 6.5 to about 7.5, more preferably from about 6.8 to about 7.2 and most preferably about 7Ø The injection sys-tem 24 comprises a solenoid valve and pump, not shown, which are well known to the skilled artisan. Figure 1 also shows a typ-ical exit slide and stand 28 for completed processed plates.
The preferred embodiment also provides continuous automatic measurement of wash water conductivity via conductivity meter 30 which is electrically connected to a conductivity probe 32.
The meter comprises the probe 32 positioned in the wash water reservoir. When fresh tap water is used to charge the system initially, it has an electrical conductivity of about 100-150 mhos. As plates are washed and acid is added to neutralize the alkalinity, ionized species are added to the system and conductivity gradually rise~. When the conductivity rises to -10- ~LZ~3~ 20731-985 a disadvantageous level, such may be signalled by alarm means, 34, and thewash water should then be changed. Conductivity could optionally be lowered by merely adding fresh tap water, but this is only a temporary solution. The most economical procedure would be to completely exchange the wash water at this point, i.e., when conductivity exceeds about 5,000 to about 8,000 mhos.
In the fi~ure, the fresh water tap connected to the in-jector system 24 and the electric wire from the branch point o the alarm means 34 to the injector system 2~ is dotted, to point out that it is a question of additional measures which are not carried out by each apparatus. The conductivity meter 30 and the pH-meter 20 are positioned outside the plate pro-cessor 10, but may also be integrated with the plate processor.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made within the scope of the present in-vention without departing from the spirit thereof and the in-vention includes all such modifications.
Prior to entering the cleaning and scrubbing section as just described, the developer is applied onto both sides of the plate in a unique pre-soak chamber. ~hile the plate is being moved forward through the pre-soak chamber, the coat-ing on the non-image areas is softened, enabling the follow-ing cleaning and scrubbing assembly to effectively clean or remove all unwanted coating even in the smallest areas. This assures a highest quality image. Developer is further applied to the plate continuously in the cleaning and scrubbing sec-tion, both through the actual cleaning brushes and between the scrubber pads. The plates then enter a wash water stage for the removal of excess developer and removed excess non-_5_ ~293~ 20731-985 image plate materials. In some existing machines, developer is metered to the plate through tubes and spread about by sponges or brushes which also serve to separate loosened non-image particles from the plate support. In the next stage, within the machine, the spent developer and separated non-image coating are rinsed from the plate, usually with water, supplied through tubes. In a final stage, the rinsed, moist surface is covered with a gum solution and any excess thereof is removed, thereby delivering a plate ready for the press or for storage. The gum solution is also metered to the plate through tubes.
In some cases, these processing solutions are pumped through spray nozzles which are directed upon the plate sur-face. In further refinements, the deueloper and gum solution overflows are returned to reservoirs from which they are again pumped through the spray nozzles.
In the case of developers for certain positive working plates, recirculation is not feasible due to the aeration of the developer. In this case, to avoid aeration, only fresh developer may be applied to the plate.
With regard to developing machinery utilized in the graphic arts, other objects are:
to reduce the needed quantities of valuable developers and finishing agents;
to increase the speed of operation;
to increase the completeness of development;
to increase the discrimination between image and non-image areas; and to permit the use of less aggressive developer, and thus decrease damage to the image.
In machinery for the processing of exposed lithographic printing plates, the plate is usually transported under spray -6- ~2~34~ 20731-985 heads through which developing solutions, rinses and finishing solutions, as determined by the needs of the individual plate, are sequentially dispensed. Appropriate time intervals are provided for the action of each solution, optionally assisted by soft non-scratching brushes, scrubbing pads, squeegees and the like.
Plate processors are per se well known in the art as exem-plified by U.S. Patents 4,239,368; 3,995,343; 3,937,175;
3,738,249; 3,809,105; 3,771,428; 4,081,577; and 4,091,404.
A problem with the hereto~ore known processors is their excessive use of wa~h water. Indeed, it is the experience of large press shops that the annual cost of the wash water alone which is pumped through the processor, vastly exceeds the cost of the processor equipment itself. If a wash water is used on a "one shot" basis it is discarded after the singl~ use al-though it still has substantial residual washing ability. As a result of this capacity, printers desire to use wash water in processing machines again and again to gain greater econo-mics. However, as the non-image areas of the photographic surface of the plate are removed, they are carried away and contaminate the water. Processors fre~uently have filters which remove flaked off coating particles to prevent a rede-posit of these coating flakes onto the plate. Such a processor is shown in U.S. Pat~nt 4,239,368. However, over time, the non-filterable portion of the liquid wash water is itself con-; taminated with unfiltered components. These are typically alkaline coating components which unacceptably raise the pH of the solution. In such an event, the solution is either dis-carded, or upon periodic monitoring of pH by the printer, an amount of fresh water is added. These, however, are short-term fixes to the problem because the solution is not contin-uously monitored and because the addition of such neutralizing -7- ~934~ 20731-985 acids may restore the pH to neutral but the conductivity of the solution increases to such an extent that the wash water quickly becoms unworkable. The present invention provides an improved processor for lithographic printing plates wherein pH
and conductivity are continuously monitorecl and pH adjusting solution is automatically added as needed while maintaining wash water conductivity within an acceptable working range.
-8- ~z~3~ 20731-9~5 Summary of the Inve tion The invention provides a printing plate processor recir-culating wash water reclamation system which comprises:
a. a plate processor having an enclosed housing capable of containing wash water therein, sai~ processor having a plate inlet and a plate outlet and means fGr applying wash water to a plate between said inlet and said out-let; and b. a wash water reservoir external to said housing; and c. means for pumping wash water from the reservoir to the wash water applying means oE the processor; and d. means for aollec-ting wash water Erom the wash water ap-plying means oE the processor and returing it to the reservoir; and e. means for continuously and automatically measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and f. injection means responsive to said pH measuring means capable of automatically adding a pH adjusting composition to the wash water in the reservoir at a predetermined pH.
The invention further provides a method of extending the useful lifetime of wash water used in a printing plate pro-cessing apparatus which method comprises:
a. providing a wash water reservoir external to said pro-cessor and pumping wash water from the reservoir to the processor, and collecting used wash water from the pro-cessor and returning it to said reservoir; and b. automatically and continuously measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and c. automatically injecting a pH adjusting composition into the wash water in the reservoir and maintaining the pH
of the wash water in a predetermined range.
Figure ] shows by way of example only a schematic view of a prefered embodiment of a recirculating wash water reclamation system according to the invention.
As shown in Figure 1, a typical plate processor 10 has its wash water input hose 12 connected to an external reservoir 14 instead of a fresh water tap. In the preferred embodiment re-servoir 14 is a 40- to 55-gallon tank. Hose 12 is connected to sump pump 16. In operation sump pump 16 pumps water from re-servoir 14 to the wash water stage of the plate processor 10.
Used wash water is returned to the reservoir from the processor via drain 18. A pH meter 20 continuously monitors the pH of the reservoir water via probe 22 which is located within the wash water reservoir 1~. The p~I meter provides a continuous mon-itoring of the water pH and when the p~I reaches a certain pre-determined value, the pH meter signals injector system 24 to supply a pH adjusting composition, such as an acid, from tank 26. In the preferred embodiment, when the pH becomes too high as the result of plate wash residue, a small amount of citric acid neutralizes the reservoir water. A preferred pH range is from about 6.5 to about 7.5, more preferably from about 6.8 to about 7.2 and most preferably about 7Ø The injection sys-tem 24 comprises a solenoid valve and pump, not shown, which are well known to the skilled artisan. Figure 1 also shows a typ-ical exit slide and stand 28 for completed processed plates.
The preferred embodiment also provides continuous automatic measurement of wash water conductivity via conductivity meter 30 which is electrically connected to a conductivity probe 32.
The meter comprises the probe 32 positioned in the wash water reservoir. When fresh tap water is used to charge the system initially, it has an electrical conductivity of about 100-150 mhos. As plates are washed and acid is added to neutralize the alkalinity, ionized species are added to the system and conductivity gradually rise~. When the conductivity rises to -10- ~LZ~3~ 20731-985 a disadvantageous level, such may be signalled by alarm means, 34, and thewash water should then be changed. Conductivity could optionally be lowered by merely adding fresh tap water, but this is only a temporary solution. The most economical procedure would be to completely exchange the wash water at this point, i.e., when conductivity exceeds about 5,000 to about 8,000 mhos.
In the fi~ure, the fresh water tap connected to the in-jector system 24 and the electric wire from the branch point o the alarm means 34 to the injector system 2~ is dotted, to point out that it is a question of additional measures which are not carried out by each apparatus. The conductivity meter 30 and the pH-meter 20 are positioned outside the plate pro-cessor 10, but may also be integrated with the plate processor.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made within the scope of the present in-vention without departing from the spirit thereof and the in-vention includes all such modifications.
Claims (20)
1. A printing plate processor recirculating wash water reclamation system which comprises:
a. a plate processor having an enclosed housing capable of containing wash water therein, said processor having a plate inlet and a plate outlet and means for applying wash water to a plate between said inlet and said outlet;
and b. a wash water reservoir external to said housing; and c. means for pumping wash water from the reservoir to the wash water applying means of the processor; and d. means for collecting wash water from the wash water ap-plying means of the processor and returning it to the re-servoir; and e. means for continuously and automatically measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and f. injection means responsive to said pH measuring means capable of automatically adding a pH adjusting compos-ition to the wash water in the reservoir at a predeter-mined pH.
a. a plate processor having an enclosed housing capable of containing wash water therein, said processor having a plate inlet and a plate outlet and means for applying wash water to a plate between said inlet and said outlet;
and b. a wash water reservoir external to said housing; and c. means for pumping wash water from the reservoir to the wash water applying means of the processor; and d. means for collecting wash water from the wash water ap-plying means of the processor and returning it to the re-servoir; and e. means for continuously and automatically measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and f. injection means responsive to said pH measuring means capable of automatically adding a pH adjusting compos-ition to the wash water in the reservoir at a predeter-mined pH.
2. The system of Claim 1 further comprising means for continuously and automatically measuring the conductivity of wash water in the reservoir.
3. The system of Claim 2 further comprising alarm means for signalling when the wash water conductivity reaches a predetermined amount.
4. The system of Claim 2 further comprising injection means responsive to said conductivity measuring means, capable of automatically adding a conductivity adjusting composition to the wash water in the reservoir at a predetermined conduc-tivity.
5. The system of Claim 1, wherein said pH measuring means is electrically connected to a pH measuring probe which is located within said wash water reservoir.
6. The system of Claim 2, wherein said means for con-tinuously and automatically measuring the conductivity of wash water is electrically connected to a conductivity probe which is located within said wash water reservoir.
7. The system of Claim l wherein said processor further comprises plate scrubbing means.
8. The system of Claim l wherein said processor further comprises plate transport means.
9. A method of extending the useful lifetime of wash water used in a printing plate processing apparatus which method comprises:
a. providing a wash water reservoir external to said pro-cessor and pumping wash water from the reservoir to the processor, and collecting used wash water from the pro-cessor and returning it to said reservoir; and b. automatically and continuously measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and c. automatically injecting a pH adjusting composition into the wash water in the reservoir and maintaining the pH
of the wash water in a predetermined range.
a. providing a wash water reservoir external to said pro-cessor and pumping wash water from the reservoir to the processor, and collecting used wash water from the pro-cessor and returning it to said reservoir; and b. automatically and continuously measuring the pH of the wash water in the reservoir; and c. automatically injecting a pH adjusting composition into the wash water in the reservoir and maintaining the pH
of the wash water in a predetermined range.
10. The method of Claim 9 wherein said pH range extends from about 6.5 to about 7.5.
11. The method of Claim 9 wherein said pH range extends from about 6.8 to about 7.2.
12. The method of Claim 9 wherein said pH adjusting composition comprises an acid.
13. The method of Claim 12 wherein said pH adjusting composition comprises citric acid.
14. The method of Claim 9 further comprising automat-ically and continuously measuring the conductivity of the wash water.
15. The method of Claim 14 further comprising signalling the condition of the wash water by using a conductivity of a predetermined amount.
16. The method of Claim 9 further comprising automat-ically injecting a conductivity adjusting composition into the wash water and maintaining the conductivity of the wash water in a predetermined range.
17. The method of Claim 16 wherein said conductivity range extends from about 5,000 to about 8,000 mhos.
18. The method of Claim 16 wherein said conductivity adjusting composition comprises water.
19. The method of Claim 15 further comprising discard-ing the wash water after the signalling condition is attained.
20. The method of Claim 15 or 16 wherein said discard-ing is performed after the water conductivity exceeds about 5,000 mhos.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/080,136 US4796042A (en) | 1987-07-31 | 1987-07-31 | Printing plate processor having recirculating water wash reclamation |
| US080,136 | 1987-07-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1293404C true CA1293404C (en) | 1991-12-24 |
Family
ID=22155484
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000560379A Expired - Lifetime CA1293404C (en) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-03-03 | Printing plate processor having recirculating water wash reclamation |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4796042A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0301157B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2735574B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1293404C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3873444D1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK167718B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5007335A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1991-04-16 | Sunkist Growers, Inc. | Apparatus for treating fresh fruit and the like to prevent and retard the growth of fungus |
| US4990351A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1991-02-05 | Sunkist Growers, Inc. | Method for treating fresh fruit to prevent and retard the growth of fungus |
| US5148738A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1992-09-22 | Sunkist Growers, Inc. | Apparatus for chemical treating of fresh fruit and the like |
| JP2533793B2 (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1996-09-11 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Lithographic printing plate manufacturing method |
| JPH03107167A (en) * | 1989-09-20 | 1991-05-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Device for processing photosensitive material |
| US5143102A (en) * | 1990-03-12 | 1992-09-01 | Graymills Corporation | High pressure parts cleaner and method |
| GB9121317D0 (en) * | 1991-10-09 | 1991-11-20 | Dantex Graphics Ltd | Filter unit |
| US5294955A (en) * | 1992-05-18 | 1994-03-15 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for washing light sensitive material |
| US5759743A (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 1998-06-02 | Nippon Paint Co., Ltd. | Developer-circulating method in flexographic printing plate-making process and apparatus for carrying out developer-circulating method |
| JP3074366B2 (en) * | 1993-02-22 | 2000-08-07 | 東京エレクトロン株式会社 | Processing equipment |
| US5708903A (en) * | 1994-08-26 | 1998-01-13 | Konica Corporation | Processing apparatus for light-sensitive materials |
| US5561488A (en) * | 1994-09-10 | 1996-10-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Photographic processing method and apparatus |
| US5706840A (en) * | 1995-03-03 | 1998-01-13 | Sandia Corporation | Precision cleaning apparatus and method |
| US5706842A (en) * | 1995-03-29 | 1998-01-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Balanced rotating spray tank and pipe cleaning and cleanliness verification system |
| DE19537669A1 (en) * | 1995-10-10 | 1997-04-17 | Aeg Hausgeraete Gmbh | Dishwashing machine controlled by pH value |
| FR2749947B1 (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 1998-08-28 | Photomeca Egg | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR THE TOTAL CONTINUOUS SEPARATION OF A MIXTURE OF PHOTOPOLYMERS AND WATER BY MEMBRANE AND FILTER FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FLEXIBLE PRINTS FOR USE IN PRINTING |
| US5810943A (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 1998-09-22 | Caron; Daniel | Washer apparatus with waste water pH neutralization system and method for the pH neutralization of waste water |
| US5954070A (en) * | 1998-07-31 | 1999-09-21 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Fluid application and concentration monitoring system |
| US7146991B2 (en) * | 2002-01-23 | 2006-12-12 | Cinetic Automation Corporation | Parts washer system |
| US6764232B1 (en) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-07-20 | Kodak Polychrome Graphics Llc | Developer exit tank for immersion type printing plate processor |
| US7353832B2 (en) * | 2003-08-21 | 2008-04-08 | Cinetic Automation Corporation | Housingless washer |
| US7338565B2 (en) * | 2003-08-21 | 2008-03-04 | Cinetic Automation Corporation | Housingless washer |
| WO2010115407A2 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2010-10-14 | Maja-Maschinenfabrik Hermann Schill Gmbh & Co. Kg | Apparatus for producing flake ice and method for cleaning, descaling and/or disinfecting an apparatus for producing flake ice |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3733994A (en) * | 1967-01-18 | 1973-05-22 | Stek Corp | Apparatus for washing of photographic material |
| US3589261A (en) * | 1968-01-16 | 1971-06-29 | Du Pont | Photographic developing apparatus |
| US3738249A (en) | 1971-10-21 | 1973-06-12 | Azoplate Corp | Hold down mechanism for printing plate processor |
| US3771428A (en) * | 1971-10-21 | 1973-11-13 | Azoplate Corp | Apparatus for processing two sides of a printing plate |
| US4091404A (en) * | 1971-12-28 | 1978-05-23 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Apparatus for developing photosensitive material |
| US3809105A (en) * | 1972-01-05 | 1974-05-07 | Hoechst Co American | Apparatus for processing two sides of a printing plate |
| US3937175A (en) | 1973-12-26 | 1976-02-10 | American Hoechst Corporation | Pulsed spray of fluids |
| US3995343A (en) * | 1975-01-29 | 1976-12-07 | American Hoechst Corporation | Apparatus for processing a printing plate |
| DE2963762D1 (en) * | 1978-03-18 | 1982-11-11 | Hoechst Ag | Device for the development of printing plates with a tank for the developing liquid |
| JPS5955439A (en) | 1982-09-24 | 1984-03-30 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Plate making method |
| EP0107454B2 (en) * | 1982-10-21 | 1993-06-09 | Vickers Plc | Improvements in or relating to the processing of radiation sensitive devices |
| JPS61175641A (en) * | 1985-01-30 | 1986-08-07 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Treatment of photosensitive printing plate and its device |
| JPS6258254A (en) * | 1985-08-08 | 1987-03-13 | Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd | Processing method for photosensitive lithographic plate |
-
1987
- 1987-07-31 US US07/080,136 patent/US4796042A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1988
- 1988-02-04 EP EP88101585A patent/EP0301157B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-02-04 DE DE8888101585T patent/DE3873444D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-02-08 DK DK062788A patent/DK167718B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-03-03 CA CA000560379A patent/CA1293404C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-07-29 JP JP63188593A patent/JP2735574B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4796042A (en) | 1989-01-03 |
| DK62788D0 (en) | 1988-02-08 |
| EP0301157A1 (en) | 1989-02-01 |
| DK167718B1 (en) | 1993-12-06 |
| JPS6450053A (en) | 1989-02-27 |
| DE3873444D1 (en) | 1992-09-10 |
| EP0301157B1 (en) | 1992-08-05 |
| JP2735574B2 (en) | 1998-04-02 |
| DK62788A (en) | 1989-02-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |